Message from the Public Administration Chair

Greetings friends! I am happy to be writing you today in our updated newsletter format. We hope you like the new look and easy-to-use format. As you will see, exciting things are happening in Public Administration. We hosted a very successful SECOPA conference in October 2016, bringing students, faculty and practitioners together to network, share research, and develop skills. Our faculty members continue to publish important research, our MPA students are highly marketable—with 100% working in the profession within six months of graduation—and our PhD program produced a record 9 graduates in 2016 (and we’re on pace to threaten that record in 2017). And you, our alumni, continue to promote the public interest and create public value through your work in local, state and federal government, nonprofit organizations, and private endeavors. Some of those stories—your stories—are highlighted in this newsletter.

I also want to encourage you to join us at our upcoming events. On March 21st, the PA Alumni Society will host its annual networking reception at the beautiful Lonnie Poole Clubhouse on NC State’s Centennial Campus. And on April 28th, SPIA will celebrate its 10th anniversary with a “Last Lecture” from retiring SPIA faculty member Sandy Kessler and reception in Caldwell Lounge to celebrate the school’s decade of achievement. I encourage you all to attend.

So I invite you to enjoy this newsletter, share with us your updates for our next newsletter, and join us at our upcoming events. And let me close by thanking you for your generosity—your commitments of time and financial support help us build on our reputation of excellence in PA education, scholarship, and service.